Kenya: Floods - Aug 2011

Glide: FL-2011-000115-KEN

Overview

Starting August 2011, heavy rains in northwestern Kenya caused several cases of flash flooding in the Kisumu East, Nyando, and Turkana districts. Around Kakuma, an estimated 60,000 people experienced flooding with water sources, latrines and homes damaged (UNICEF, 17 Aug 2011). As of 12 December ,Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) estimated at least 25 people had lost their lives in flood-related incidents and approximately 15,045 households (91,692 people) were displaced from their homes (IFRC, 12 Dec 2011).

Appeal coverage: The IFRC Drought Appeal has been fully funded. The IFRC was able to mobilize 33% of the budget. With support from Partner National Societies (PNS), 66% of the appeal funds were raised. Kenya Red Cross Society also raised additional funds through Corporate donors, the African Union and through the “Kenyans for Kenya Initiative.”

NAIROBI, 11 April 2012 – The massive humanitarian response in the Horn of Africa in 2011 reversed the spread of famine and saved tens of thousands of children’s lives, but the outlook is increasingly worrisome, threatening the tentative gains achieved to date, according to a new UNICEF report.

World Vision welcomes the news that the famine is easing in parts of Somalia. The United Nations has officially downgraded the situation in Bakaool, lower Shabelle and Bay. At the peak of the crisis, malnutrition was affecting 53 per cent of the population in some areas of Somalia; now, that figure has fallen below the famine threshold of 30 per cent. But although conditions have begun to improve in the Horn of Africa for some, challenges remain great for the families who live there and the aid workers trying to respond.

With the famine in Somalia sparking an increased flow of refugees into neighbouring Kenya, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is scaling up its programmes to help improve the living conditions in the northern part of the country.

· Access to the drought-affected population in the Juba regions of Somalia and northeastern parts of
Kenya continues to be impeded by insecurity and heavy rains.

· 60 cholera cases have been reported in Dadaab refugee camp since August, with ten laboratory
confirmed cases as of 4 November. According to UNHCR, despite the limited medical resources at
the camp, the situation is currently manageable.

Between September 1 and November 4, insecurity and drought displaced approximately 65,000 people from central and southern Somalia, according to the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Of the total population displaced, 17,500 people were displaced from Mogadishu, with 14,000 people moving to other areas within Mogadishu and 3,500 people leaving the city.

Increased attacks on civilian and police targets have been reported in Kenya this week, as the Kenya military incursion in southern Somalia continues.

Humanitarian operations at Dadaab refugee camps and drought-affected areas of northeastern Kenya have been increasingly restricted, and in some cases halted, due to insecurity and damaged roads resulting from the ongoing heavy rains.

A recount of applicants for refugee status in Dadaab has found large numbers attempting double registration. The apparent large backlog in applications for registration has been adjusted from 40,000 to 1,909. The average daily arrival rate for the past week was about 1,100 people per day.

Deteriorating security situation along Somali border and around Dadaab; a vehicle belonging to an international NGO has been hijacked in Hagadera camp.